Regulations, rules, training

Reports

District 18 - Rochester area

Last updated: 2018-05-23

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports turkey hunting has slowed but trout fishing has picked up. The streams are starting to clear up and be fishable. Morel hunting has been ok but some hunters are frustrated with the lack of mushrooms they are finding.

CO Brittany Hauser (Red Wing) spent the week checking anglers on the Mississippi River. Time was also spent investigating a turkey complaint and assisting DNR Fisheries with a regulation change meeting. Assistance was also given to Red Wing PD and Goodhue County Sheriff?s Office for a suspect that fled on foot into a wooded area. Enforcement action for the week included no license in possession, possess under length walleye, and no sound producing device.

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked anglers and recreational vehicles during the week. A lot of morel hunters were out as well. CO Heyn continues to work on deer cases with other officers.

CO Phil George (Rochester) assisted with an all-day range and field day, assisted Olmsted County sheriff?s office with the search of a missing person in the White Water WMA, and spoke with a 5th grade class who was doing a research project on Turn in Poachers. CO George also checked anglers and ATV operators and opened two litter cases. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports only a few turkey hunters were still hunting but success was good. People are reporting that they are finding mushrooms. Many baby and nuisance wildlife calls were taken, including a duck that nested on a docked pontoon and another duck that attacked a person mowing lawn.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) reports continuing search efforts with the Wabasha County Sheriff Department on the Mississippi River for a missing boater. Fishing has picked up a little on the Backwater and Lake Pepin as sunfish, perch, crappie, walleye, and saugers are being found in the bag with a little more frequency. Several complaints were investigated and a stranded boater was towed in from an island on the Big River. Enforcement action this week included license and size limit violations.

CO Kylan Hill (Zumbrota) reports contacting numerous anglers and mushroom hunters utilizing the warm weather and sunshine. Time was also spent on the water checking boaters for the required safety equipment. For being so early in the year, CO Hill was pleased to see high compliance in boating safety checks. The occasional missing lifejacket or throwable floatation device was seen, however. CO Hill arrested an angler for an outstanding warrant after he was found to be fishing with two lines. Multiple cases were sent to the county attorney?s office for charges and a trespass complaint was handled.